Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. medically cleared for full participation

Earlier in training camp, Falcons quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt previously said the team had to evaluate Penix and Tua Tagovailoa on different scales. Penix, who suffered a torn ACL on Nov. 16 against the Panthers, had worked only in 7-on-7 periods, and Tagovailoa has primarily handled 11-on-11 sessions.

Now, they stand on equal footing.

“It’s definitely a confidence-booster,” running back Tyler Goodson told the AJC postgame. “Whether it’s Tua or Penix, we believe in both of them. We believe that both of them are capable to go in there and lead this team.

“Whatever the case may be, that’s above my pay grade. I’m going to let them handle that, figure out what they got going. But whoever’s in there, we’re ready to go.”

Stefanski told reporters Thursday the team has a plan in place for Penix’s acclimation period, though he declined to share details.

Penix has gone 72-for-112 passing during 7-on-7 drills in training camp, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s passing chart.

Tagovailoa is 73-for-118 passing in training camp, working mostly as the first-string quarterback in 11-on-11 periods but also dabbling in 7-on-7s in recent weeks, too.

Tagovailoa has banked significantly more snaps than Penix, but across 15 training camp practices and one preseason appearance, they’re much closer in attempts — Tagovailoa has thrown 123 passes to Penix’s 112.

Penix, who often gets only one period at practice, will now be able to match Tagovailoa’s snap count.

“I know he’s fired up,” rookie receiver Zachariah Branch told the AJC, “and we’re fired up as well to go out there and just compete in practice.”

Though he hasn’t thrown a pass behind an offensive line since his injury, the 26-year-old Penix has remained active with the rest of the Falcons’ offense.

“I feel like he’s been doing a great job of still being a leader and everything,” rookie offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa told the AJC.

The Falcons’ quarterbacks have emphasized their respect for each other throughout the offseason program, and they’ve lived it.

Onianwa said he hung out with both signal callers Friday night, and the team’s offense shares a collective camaraderie.

“Everyone’s just still really connected,” Onianwa said, “which is something I really enjoy about this program.”

The Falcons will practice Monday through Wednesday in Flowery Branch before ending the preseason with a road game against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 28.

Whether Penix plays any snaps in Miami remains unclear, but if nothing else, his foot is now firmly in the door of the Falcons’ quarterback race.